From: Arlo J. Bensinger (ajb102@psu.edu)
Date: Mon Oct 17 2005 - 20:38:52 BST
[Platt]
You mean you want a number of choices in the voting booth so that no one
gets a clear majority? You want the European parliamentary model for the
U.S.?
[Arlo]
I'm not arguing for a parlimentary model, or any model in particular at all. Is
that the only option available by increasing choice? Besides, oh you of the
"free market", I though more choice was a good thing? Now you seem to favor
very restricted choice in the selection of represented statespeople. Are you
suggesting that giving people more choice would be a bad thing?
[Arlo previously]
If things were pretty much okay with production and consumption (as opposed to
what Pirsig saw), why should you want to change anything?
[Platt]
Because morality was (and is) based on religious traditions. Pirsig tried
to base it on reason, as did Ayn Rand. That's why both appeal to me.
[Arlo]
This isn't really ZMM at all. My take is then that you find that book not very
meaningful, and prefer the psychedelic revelations of Lila instead?
But, if this is the change you seek, what does this change accomplish? Would it
change people? Why don't you think all those religious people in this country
see this? Are they stupid peons? Do you have a greater intellect than they?
Have they been brainwashed?
Or, is what your saying, that the actual "morality" would stay the same, only
the Authority behind it would change?
[Arlo previously]
Pirsig, as I've said, may believe in the free market, but he certainly
doesn't believe that there is nothing to be served by critically
approaching problems and offering an expanded dialogue to counter the
maladies that continue to exist and dominate Western thinking.
[Platt]
The "malady" Pirsig laments is the modern intellectual's inability to tell
right from wrong. (See Chapter 24 of Lila.)
[Arlo]
The malady in ZMM is quite different, it is one where people lack a cultural
dialogue to examine a problem and find solutions. And the one you present is
only one of those laid bare by the MOQ. Another is the European/Indian
conflict.
[Platt]
SOM can't tell right from wrong. That's Pirsig's message. We need him to
provide a rational basis to morality. He is not against the free market of
production and consumption. He is against taking what is produced and what
is consumed for granted.
[Arlo]
I'm sure you don't mean we need him to provide a rational basis. Do we? No,
again, he is not against the free market of production and consumption, but he
saw this market turning out gobs and gobs and gobs of junk and asked why, saw a
problem, and offered a solution.
Yes?
Arlo
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